Corey Alderdice

You're Not Lost—You're Early: A Guide to the Quarterlife Crisis - A Slice with 'Dice Early adulthood was supposed to feel like launch—but for many seniors, it feels more like freefall. That unsettling mix of possibility and pressure has a name, and understanding it is the first step t...

A new semester also means a *final* semester for high school and college seniors.

Excitement and uncertainty often arrive together. Today's episode explores the quarterlife crisis—and why naming it can help young adults find meaning in what comes next.

alderdice.buzzsprout.com/2398131/epis...

In school, we often tell students to avoid failure.

In the gym, failure's the goal.

After 16 weeks with World Arm Wrestling Champion Monster Michael Todd, I’ve learned growth comes from "going until failure" in both fitness and in learning.

🎧 Listen: wix.to/U4gmdOc

Why do gifted students leave behind the comfort and familiarity of their local schools to take on something harder?

It isn’t about prestige — it’s about dissatisfaction.

🎧 Preview my series exploring how this becomes the spark for growth.

🔗 Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/3eXE...

Five Questions for a Strong Common App Essay

Five questions. One true story.

A better college essay that only YOU can tell.

Listen now 🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/1WMM...

#CollegeEssays #CommonApp #CollegeAdmissions

🎉 Slice #100 is here!

No clip show. No celebrity cameos. No mushy monologues.

Just reflections on gifted education, leadership, Arkansas schools, and the joy (and messiness) of learning.

🍰 Grab the centennial slice: open.spotify.com/episode/5P5r...

#GiftedEd #EdLeadership #Podcast

"Surf Dracula" and Why Students Need to Catch Waves Early - A Slice with 'Dice Prestige TV has given us a new metaphor for education: Surf Dracula. The idea comes from a viral critique of shows that delay their own premise—spending entire seasons on backstory before ever letting...

Prestige TV taught us about Surf Dracula—the show that takes forever to deliver the surfing we tuned in to see. 🧛‍♂️🏄

Schools do the same when they delay the joy of authentic learning until “later.”

Let students surf early, surf often. 🎧 #GiftedEd

alderdice.buzzsprout.com/2398131/epis...

How “Brag Sheets” Help Your Recommenders Help You

Stronger recommendation letters start with better details. 🎓

This week’s episode explores why every senior needs a brag sheet—and how it can turn generic letters into powerful endorsements for college or scholarships.

🎧 Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/3RJ0...

First Month Finished: A Gifted Parent’s Moment to Connect

As the long holiday weekend arrives, many students are nearing the one-month mark of the school year. 🎒📚

It’s the perfect moment for parents to pause, check in, and open space for honest conversations.

🎧 New episode: open.spotify.com/episode/3wUH...

Is This the Best Year in a Decade to Apply to the Ivies?

What if this year is actually one of the easiest times in recent memory to get into the Ivy League? 👀

Visa shifts. Testing back. Fewer seniors applying.

🎧 Here’s why the Class of 2026 has a slight edge:

open.spotify.com/episode/1buT...

A Slice with 'Dice ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice shares personal reflections, lessons learned, and insights from the ever-evolving world of education in Arkansas and beyond.

A year ago, I started a podcast about education, leadership, gifted students, and admissions.

It’s a space for reflection I didn’t know I needed, and I’m grateful to everyone who’s listened and joined the conversation.

🎧 slicewithdice.com or wherever you listen to pods.

Why Readiness Is a Choice, Not a Feeling A Slice with 'Dice · Episode

“Ready” isn’t something you feel — it’s a decision you make. 🎓

A new school year is the perfect time for gifted students to stop waiting for confidence and start choosing readiness.

🎧 Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/4Bqa...

#GiftedEducation #BackToSchool #StudentSuccess

Gifted, Grinding, and Missing the Moment Grind culture doesn’t just live in tech startups or TikTok hustle videos—it’s alive and well in the halls of our specialized schools, magnet programs, and gifted education at large. It’s the quiet exp...

Grind culture tells gifted students their worth depends on how busy they are. In reality, it robs them of the school experience itself.

🎧 Read more or listen to this week's episode here: coreyalderdice.wixsite.com/index/post/g...

#gifteded #gtchat #ARed

Moving Toward Clarity A Slice with 'Dice · Episode

Clarity isn’t a light switch—it’s a fog that lifts slowly. In this episode, I explore how real clarity emerges not through certainty, but through connection, reflection, and the next right step.

🎧 Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/5t7V...

Admissions Officers are Casting a Play, Not Grading a Test A Slice with 'Dice · Episode

Think your “backup” school is a sure thing? Think again.

In this episode, I unpack why getting into a “New Ivy” like Vanderbilt or WashU is just as tough as the Ivy League—and what seniors need to understand as they apply this fall.

🎧 Listen up!

open.spotify.com/episode/5VAA...

All right. Let’s do this one last time. PD underway. Student Leaders are now back on campus. We’re gearing up for move-in on Saturday. It’s gonna be a ‘Phintastic year at #ASMSA.

Day two of PD week of trainings, discussions, and #ASMSA campus updates. This afternoon, our colleagues are learning more about the work and impact of the #STEM Pathways initiative. Last year, it served more than 3,600 students and teachers across Arkansas.

It was a joy to attend the Sister Cities International convening this week in Ft. Worth. The Hot Springs Sister City Program was honored as the Best Overall Program for our community size for our comprehensive experience to connect with Hanamaki, Japan! hotsprings.pressreader.com/article/2814...

YouTube video by Corey Alderdice Five Hidden Traps That Trip Up Selective College Applicants

College apps are more than test scores and GPAs.

Things like your course choices, major selection, even your zip code can matter more than you think.

This episode breaks it all down—so you can apply smarter, not just harder.

youtu.be/2mlKg7fYB-k

The 2025 Report Card: How Students Grade America’s Schools A Slice with 'Dice · Episode

What do students say when they’re the ones handing out the grades? The 2025 Walton Family Foundation and Gallup Report Card reveals rising satisfaction in classrooms but lingering gaps on future readiness. I'm breaking the report down in this week's podcast.

open.spotify.com/episode/4ZrZ...

A student at Orientation today showed me his iPod Classic playing my podcast and I have so many questions…

Notes from the Quad: How to Turn Campus Visits into Clarity A Slice with 'Dice · Episode

🎓 Heading out for college campus visits this summer?

In this week's pod, I we break down how to make every visit count.

From asking the right questions to trusting your gut, we’ve got tips to help you find your perfect college fit.

Tune in now! 🎙️

open.spotify.com/episode/7hCx...

It’s kind of fitting that the 1,000th download of my podcast came from yesterday’s special Commencement episode. You can check them all out at slicewithdice.com or wherever you get your sound stories!

A volcanic eruption. A barren wasteland. A few frightened gophers. In my latest podcast, I share a story of quiet resilience and what it means for the Class of 2025—and for all of us.
Dig in: open.spotify.com/episode/1hpD...

The big day is finally here for #ASMSA’s Class of 2025! Looking forward to honoring these 95 outstanding students today for their achievements, resilience, and persistence.

A word of thanks to the Jacksons for celebrating our amazing # ASMSA
Student Ambassadors this evening. Two more days until graduation!

Lawnmowers, Tigers, and Dolphins—Which Gifted Parent Are You? Trust that by guiding, not controlling, you’re giving your gifted child exactly what they need to thrive.

Explore the different parenting styles for gifted children. Are you a Lawnmower, Tiger, or Dolphin parent? Find out how to guide your gifted child towards thriving. Read or Listen: wix.to/zFBPACH #GiftedEducation #Parenting #ChildDevelopment #ARed #gtchat

Impact, Risk, and Joy: The Heart of a Compelling College Admissions Story We hear it all the time—selective college admissions are holistic. But what does that really mean? Beyond the buzzwords and the brochures, what are these schools actually looking for when they say the...

As students prepare for college applications, remember the power of storytelling. A compelling narrative that highlights your journey through impact, risk, and joy can truly set you apart. Learn more about this crucial component of your admissions story: wix.to/s9ZWVOi

Impact, Risk, and Joy: The Heart of a Compelling College Admissions Story A Slice with 'Dice · Episode

What sets standout college applications apart? It’s not just what you do—it’s how and why. Explore the power of impact, risk, and joy in building an authentic admissions story in this week’s episode. #CollegeAdmissions #EduSky

open.spotify.com/episode/5RHE...

Make Three Mistakes and Call it Research A Slice with 'Dice · Episode

Mistakes aren't setbacks—they're research opportunities. In today's episode, we're exploring why educational leaders should embrace mistakes intentionally to foster growth, creativity, and innovation in schools. Listen now! #EdLeadership #GrowthMindset #EduSky

open.spotify.com/episode/2w6c...

Why Do We "Unlearn" Creativity? - A Slice with 'Dice By the time we’re adults, most of us have unlearned the very thing that made us brilliant as kids: our creativity.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the groundbreaking research o...

98% of 5-year-olds score at the “genius” level for creativity. By adulthood? Only 2%.

This week’s episode looks at how schools unintentionally "unteach" creativity—and how we can stop it. #edusky

🎧 Listen here: alderdice.buzzsprout.com/2398131/epis...